U23s: USA vs. Mexico: The Best and Worst of the Yanks

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 1, 2012

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Caleb Porter's USA U23s did their part to make Wednesday a really nice day for US Soccer.  Even after losing Brek Shea to the senior team, the young guns topped Mexico 2-0 in their final tune-up match before Olympic qualifying.

 

 

The Best:

 

1)  Attractive playing style

Where the senior team fought and scraped their way to the win over Italy, the U23s owned the match against Mexico.  They were composed in possession and creative, both on and off the ball.  If the seniors won against the run of play, the youngsters deserved every bit of their victory.

 

2)  Opara and Kitchen solid as a rock

The pairing of Ike Opara and Perry Kitchen in the center of the US defense never looked troubled against Mexico.  They intervened calmly, positioned themselves well and organized from the back.  On a night when the center of the senior team looked shaky at best, it was a nice counterpoint to see these two show so well.

 



3)  Mix Diskerud bossed the midfield

Diskerud was simply superb on Wednesday.  He defended aggressively when needed and proved impossible for Mexico to push off the ball in the attack.  He'll get an assist for his corner kick that found Juan Agudelo's head and a goal because Freddy Adu grazed him with a 25-yard blast, but those aren't even the highlights of his performance.

 

For that see his 65th minute ball that put Joe Corona in behind the Mexican defense or any of the numerous times when he found himself holding off one or more defenders long enough to find the right pass. Diskerud was a level above the game on Wednesday.

 

 

The Worst:

 

1)  No left backs here either

Zarek Valentin was not strong playing on the left side of defense...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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